He and his girlfriend bought things together when she lived in his apartment. Now that she’s gone, her family is trying to claim everything he owns, saying they’re “entitled” to what she previously owned!
Lovers and Housemates
OP (Original Poster), 26, and his 24-year-old girlfriend started living together two years before posting this story. Instead of getting a new place, she just moved into OP’s existing home.
Shared Ownership
Although the place was already fully furnished, they still bought a couple of things together, such as small appliances, small furniture accents, and others.
However, though they picked out the stuff together, OP was the one who did the “actual purchasing” of the items using his personal cards or savings account. He added, “I can probably establish ownership in my favor, but I don’t want to assume anything.”
Material Possessions
OP doesn’t care about any of the material things he bought. However, now that his girlfriend is dead, a huge issue involving her family occurred where they started to claim everything OP owned.
A Transcended Claim
At first, they only claimed that his girlfriend co-owned everything, making them entitled to half of his belongings.
But now, they want everything!
A Name for the Poor
OP says his girlfriend’s family are “generally bad people.” Although he doesn’t want to, he refers to them as “trailer trash” to give readers an idea of what they were like and how they acted.
Addicts and Opportunists
Sadly, no one in his late girlfriend’s family was financially established. No one had jobs, and her parents and brothers were all alcoholics.
Apart from this, her brothers were also drug addicts. OP wrote, “They’re openly treating the situation as an opportunity to get paid.”
Finding Solutions
Even though OP is quite sure that his girlfriend’s family has no actual case, he wanted to know how he should handle the situation.
He added, “I can’t exactly afford a lawyer, but it would probably be less expensive than having to repurchase my entire life.”
No Looking Back
In an update, OP explained that he started seeing things through others’ perspectives. So, he ultimately decided to block them and move on with his life.
Confident in His Safety
Luckily, he lives an hour away from the family, and his apartment is not accessible to the public. So, there’s no need to worry about his personal safety.
The Community’s Take on the Matter
For people on Reddit, OP shouldn’t sue his late girlfriend’s family unless they actually start doing something. For now, blocking them and moving on with his life should suffice.
A commenter wrote, “Talking about suing is free. Actually, suing is expensive. Block them and
move on with your life until you get served with an actual lawsuit. If they do actually sue you, then you go get a lawyer.”
Some Legal Advice
An attorney on the thread was kind to give advice regarding OP’s troublesome situation, stating what he could and should do.
A lawyer advised, “Unless the family can prove ownership of these possessions, they really don’t have a case. Obviously, if you purchased most of the items and have a paper trail that says so, they are likely not entitled to anything other than her personal effects, which she did purchase or own.”
The lawyer added, “I’m so sorry that you’re going through this. As others have said, I would block them and ensure proper security of your home. I feel that if they went to an attorney, the attorney would ask them for their proof that she owns these items. In any court proceeding, they would need proof. Once they found out that she did not own these items, they would not take the case. At least that’s what I would do in the scenario.”
Be Sure and Secure
People were concerned for OP’s safety and suggested that he do some things to increase security in his apartment.
A Redditor wrote, “Just to add to the other good advice you have gotten. If at all possible, change the locks. You should be able to work with the landlord if you have one or a locksmith. You don’t want to take the chance they got a copy of her keys.”
Another one commented, “You said that your apartment is inaccessible, but is there any chance that she ever gave any member of her family keys to, say, pet sit, etc.? If so, you may want to work with your landlord to change your locks.”
Banking Matters
Some also addressed bank-related stuff that OP should immediately take care of.
“Not a lawyer, but I have been through something similar. If you guys had any joint bank accounts, I would take that money out immediately and put it into an account that has only your name on it. And talk to someone at your bank as soon as possible,” a commenter wrote.
Life Has to Go On
Others sympathized with OP and advised him to focus on himself and continue with his life.
A Redditor said, “I’m sorry you’re dealing with the nastiness of the family on top of the tragedy of your girlfriend passing. As was already said, I’d block them and only worry about the legal aspect of things if they really push in that direction. Otherwise, focus on your own grieving process and keep living.”
What would you do if you were OP? Do you have any advice for him?
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This post first appeared as His Late Girlfriend’s Toxic Family Demanded He Give Them Everything He Owned, Saying They’re “Entitled” to It. He Refused and Blocked Them, but They’re Selfish “Opportunists” Who Won’t Back Down! on Quote Ambition.
